Arts Organization Resources

ArtsKC has compiled resources for our local artists, arts leaders, and arts organizations to help endure the coronavirus outbreak.

We’ve all heard the recent news about how the coronavirus is affecting our country and our economy. Information about how it affects the arts sector is critical to the preparations of our performances and exhibitions. We have included several resources for you as members of our arts community to help you navigate the tricky moment in which we find ourselves.

ArtsKC has begun to put plans in place in the event that our staff needs to work from home either for personal wellness or the wellness of all staff. We are continuing to review materials and resources to add to our understanding of this virus and how our sector can best be prepared. We will pass along new and relevant information as we receive it. Please reach out to us with any tools or resources you think may be helpful to our community.

As We Begin to Reopen…

ArtSafe Certification for Missouri & Kansas Arts Organizations

The Missouri Arts Council promotes COVID-19 safe practices by arts and cultural organizations statewide when the arts reopen under local guidelines. Together with the Missouri Arts Safety Alliance, a coalition of organizations throughout the state, we have created Missouri ArtSafe Certification. Organizations become certified by pledging and adhering to a core level of safe practices.

Below, you will find a list of all counties ArtsKC serves and their plans for reopening.
Missouri
Kansas

From ArtsKC

From AltCap/ ArtsKC

PPP/ SBA Funding

PPP2 Info Session

Deadline to apply for PPP, March 31st. AltCap cuts off new applications by March 23rd! Please view the recording of the information/Q&A session by ArtsKC and AltCap specifically for the arts community. 

Alt-Cap can help identify the best route to move forward with either PPP or SVOG depending on your current situation. Both Orgs and individual Artists should reach out!

PPP info session with CBIZ

Information on forgiveness

Overview of recent PPP changes

AltCap intake form to help connect you where you need to go

From Americans for the Arts

Please complete this survey produced by Americans for the Arts about how your organization has been affected by COVID-19. Make sure that there is only ONE response per organization. If you’re unsure whether your org has already responded, please ask your employees and colleagues.

From DonorDrive

Activating Virtual Events for a Strong Fundraising Future

From the New York Times

When the Show Must Go On, Even Amid a Coronavirus Outbreak

Learn more about how some artists and performance venues are adapting to empty concert halls and dwindling audiences.

From Coughing Fits to Closings, Cultural World Girds for Coronavirus

Museums, theaters and concert halls in the United States are steeling themselves for fearful patrons, lighter crowds and possible government shutdowns.

From Vulture

Arts Groups are Headed Into Crisis. A few things might mitigate the disaster.

Vulture offers resources and tips other performance-based organizations have used to engage remotely with audiences in the past.

From Nonprofit Connect

Coronavirus Resources for Nonprofits

From Colleen Dillenschneider

Why Marketing Matters During COVID-19 Closures

Employer Practices

Taken from ArtHouse Convergence:

On January 31, 2020 the United States’ Health and Human Services Secretary declared a Public Health Emergency for the United States to aid the healthcare community in responding to COVID-19, a novel coronavirus that causes respiratory illness.

As of March 12, 2020, community spread of COVID-19 is occurring in some communities in the United States. California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington have recommended social distancing and currently are advising against or banning large events. To assess the risk of exposure in your theater’s community check the websites of the CDC (updated Monday – Friday), the World Health Organization, and your county and state health departments (public health departments nationwide are also sharing updates via their official twitter accounts). Here are the updates from King County, Washington and San Francisco, CA.

We recommend all theaters and festivals review and update their emergency preparedness plans in consultation with the local government, health department, their insurance provider, and legal council. 

Administrative Policies 

  • Review your insurance policy and contact your insurance provider to determine if your business interruption and liability insurance include any coverage for an outbreak in your community.
  • Review existing contracts and check force majeure and cancellation clauses to ensure that they include protection during epidemics and pandemics.
  • Review supply ordering and expenses, identify ways to reduce expenditures during period of reduced revenue.
  • Protect your liquidity. Assess how long you can operate during a period of temporary closure and identify expense reductions that can extend this period.

Human Resources

  • All employee health information is confidential, even during a crisis. Employers should not reveal the identities of infected employees.
  • In most circumstances the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from asking employees about health conditions. However, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) the does allow for some exceptions to mitigate the negative impact of pandemics in the workplace. The EEOC recommends that employers follow CDC guidelines and has provided additional guidance about employer actions during an influenza pandemic.
  • Counter workplace stigma by disseminating accurate information, speaking out against negative behaviors, and maintaining employee confidentiality.

Staff Policies

  • Disseminate accurate information about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
  • Establish staffing protocol for addressing disruptions related to COVID-19 including work redistribution. Disruptions might include school closures and heightened absenteeism.
  • Establish telecommuting infrastructure.
  • Update staff travel policies and communicate with staff about changes.
  • Encourage employees who are sick to stay home.
  • Ensure that your sick and leave policies are consistent with public health guidelines and that staff are informed about these policies.
  • Provide additional supplies to regularly clean workspaces (alcohol-based hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, tissues, hands-free waste receptacles).

When to Close

  • Establish communication with your state and local health officials prior to an outbreak in your community to learn about any policies that prompt a theater closure.
  • Reach out to key community partners including local health departments and government officials and establish protocol to communicate during a possible outbreak.
  • Meet with key staff to review factors related to closure including 1) Severity of outbreak, 2) Public health recommendations, 3) Public safety, 4) Staff safety, 5) Adverse affects on business operations.
  • Theaters should comply with public health guidelines and recommendations.

Preparing for Closures

  • Develop plans to communicate with staff and public about closures.
  • Prepare a building closure checklist to prepare the building for being unattended for multiple days.
  • Develop plans for refunds due to programming disruptions and cancellations.
  • Review costs, travel, and funding connected to specific screenings and establish communications with funders, guest speakers, and participating filmmakers about possible closures.
  • Communicate with distributors about the possible cancellations of special screenings. Determine if and when rental fees can be recouped.

Recommendations for Theater Cleaning and Seating

  • Prepare cleaning checklists for between shows, opening, and closing.
  • Stagger screening schedules to allow more time for cleaning between shows.
  • Regularly clean surfaces that people frequently touch including knobs, railings, touchscreens, credit card machines, and napkins dispensers.
  • Make hand sanitizer, napkins, tissues, and soap readily available to guests.
  • Make trash cans readily available for the disposal of tissues and napkins. Change trash regularly.
  • If appropriate, reduce capacity so that audience members can sit 2-3 seats apart.
  • Post hand washing instructions at sinks.

Recommendations for Customer Interactions

  • Minimize touching customers phones, credit cards, and tickets. If possible allow customers to swipe or insert cards themselves.

Public Communications 

  • Include a public announcement about steps your theater is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as the announcements prepared by Amherst Cinema, Milwaukee Film, and SIFF.
  • Discourage sick patrons from attending screenings. Offer full refunds to sick patrons.

Recommendations for Staff

  • Wash and disinfect hands regularly. Hand washing should last at least 20 seconds.
  • Remember to rub alcohol based sanitizers into your hands for 15-20 seconds and allow them to to dry so they can be effective.
  • Avoid touching mouth, eyes, and nose.
  • Disinfect railings, doorknobs, cabinet pulls, and other objects people frequently touch as part of regular cleaning regimen.
  • Please stay home if you are sick.
  • Remember that bacteria and microbes can reproduce on the surface of gloves. Change gloves regularly, and wash hands thoroughly when removing gloves.
  • Limit handling customers and other people’s phones and clean your own mobile device regularly.

From CBIZ

Coronavirus and the Workplace-Compliance Issues for Employers

“Employers are obligated to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for their employees and are subject to a number of legal requirements protecting workers. As the number of reported cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rise, these employer obligations are becoming more challenging to meet, and they must be met in an expedited timeframe.”

Fundraising Issues

ArtsKC is accepting donations to help our grantmaking now and for artists and organizations once the coronavirus is remediated but the economic impact is still felt. Please consider donating at ArtsKC.org/Donate

From Chronicle on Philanthropy

Consultants Fear Coronavirus Will Hurt Fundraising, Survey Shows

The Chronicle on Philanthropy is the most up-to-date resource regarding fundraising. It requires a subscription to read, but this article features excellent data about what the coronavirus could mean for fundraising.

From Responsive Fundraising

Special Podcast Series

On Friday the 13th, Responsive Fundraising will broadcast the first of seven podcast conversations about how to ensure that the success of your fundraising efforts are not undermined by fear, anxiety, and worry. The Fundraising Talent Podcast is available on iTunes or your favorite listening app.

National Resources

From the Center for Disease Control

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC’s resource page with all the information you need about exactly what is Covid-19 and how it could affect you and your constituents.

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

From Americans for the Arts

Arts and Culture Sector Can Prepare for the Coronavirus in the United States

Advice from Americans for the Arts about how the arts sector can prepare for the virus. Please remember to update us with any new information you may have.

Local Resources

From Kansas City, Missouri

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

KCMO government has issues guidance on dealing with the outbreak of the coronavirus, as well as their plans should cases come to our area.

Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Our Community

With presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 identified in both Kansas and Missouri, local health departments are advising residents to take precautions to help prevent its spread in the Greater Kansas City region.